IT WAS very interesting to read the rather disappointing Estyn inspection report concerning Llanishen High School (“School let down by misbehaving pupils”, June 15).

But hold on. A school inspection only provides a quick snapshot of any school, five days is nothing. Let’s be totally honest; many members of inspection teams do not have an exactly glowing record of educational experience or expertise themselves.

What I would seriously suggest is that inspection teams should demonstrate their undoubted skills by spending an extra week in the school where they can teach classes and show observing teachers, who they are frequently critical of, exactly how the very difficult job should be really done – particularly dealing with awkward pupils!

I have a slight notion that the vast majority of extremely well-paid inspectors would not be able or willing to cope with this – it is very easy to judge and/or criticise others when you are not directly involved yourself.

Schools already have enough pressures – the inappropriate inspection system which currently exists is the least they require. Inspectors should instead of criticising be demonstrating the perceived skills they commend. I doubt whether few would have the courage. Otherwise, Estyn is a simple waste of public funds and needs abolition.

Steve Tarbet

Westfield ParkSt Fagans

Top marks for pupil behaviour

WE RUN Cardiff Bay Tours and Road Train and were really disappointed to read the article regarding Llanishen High School which appeared in the Echo (“School let down by misbehaving pupils”, June 15).

We have just finished conducting a week of tours for the school’s year 7 Geography pupils. This is an annual event we have run in partnership for six years, and consists of 230 pupils coming to Cardiff Bay for walking tours, boat trips and road train rides.

We would therefore, like to take this opportunity to compliment the school on the good behaviour, impeccable manners and general enthusiasm shown by the pupils on their visits.

Credit also to the teachers who made a huge effort bringing this volume of pupils on a school trip, when so much organisation is required in this “day and age” to take pupils out of school.

It is a shame sometimes that we only hear the negative side of a story – so “gold star” Llanishen High – see you next year!

Carol Townsend and Bryan Osborne

Cardiff Bay Tours and Road Train, Penarth Marina

At what cost to the public?

WITH regard to your front page article (“Doomed Hospital’s £1m Repair Bill”, June 17), I’d like to pose a simple question, followed by a suggestion for the public to consider.

I write as a service user and campaigner for better mental health services for over 11 years, since the closure of Sully Hospital became a possibility. My question is – ‘Is this £1m a waste, or will it save the expenditure of the disproportionately high cost for the new hospital ?’ Now, consider these facts :

The new 104-bed Whitchurch hospital is set to cost a staggering £70m, which is an equivalent cost per bed of £673,000. Since May 2008, when I sent a report on this to 54 ‘stakeholder’ organisations (including the Minister, Cardiff Local Health Board, Mind Cymru, and the Trust ), no explanation has ever been put forward for the disproportionately higher costs.

Readers may well think that, perhaps there is no intention to build the new hospital – hence the ridiculous cost – and that £1m on refurbishment continues the trend started after Sully closed when £4m was allocated for refurbishment. The Cardiff LHB CEO replied to my e-mail saying ‘While the costs are relatively high... and to ensure that patients are treated in state-of-the-art facilities that are now provided at the Llanfair unit at Llandough’. ‘Same standard’ – at 5½ times the costs – who is she kidding ?

I would close by pointing out another fact. These are the same people, handling this supposed development, as agreed to sell Sully Hospital to the lowest bidding developer, thereby depriving mental health services of much needed funds.

And all of this approved by our government, with the uncritical support of the non-statutory patient organisations that they fund – brings tears to your eyes, doesn’t it ? Of course, everyone concerned has acted within the standards of public probity, and no intention to deceive the public is implied – perish the thought!

Robin Williams

PenarthMember of the Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust Patients Panel and Mental Health User Group

City’s become a modern mess

HAVING lived in Cardiff for 14 years, from the age of seven to 21, I have always had a great affection for this lovely city.

My wife and I have been regular visitors for many years and were there the weekend that David Morgan sadly closed.

“The finest department store ever,” my wife always said.

In May 2005 we were shocked to see what devastation had been done to so much of the city, demolished buildings.

Roadworks everywhere, noise, mess and a distinct feeling of depression among the usually warm, friendly and helpful people.

We decided to leave it all a year before our next visit, in the hope that Cardiff had become a city to be proud of again.

What a disappointment met our eyes, even more disruption, mess, noise, pavements lifted, half finished shops and very little of the old buildings I knew and loved.

The architecture was one of the many fine features of Cardiff.

Now it has been replaced with huge ugly glass boxes of all shapes and sizes.

The statue of John Batchelor, standing on his plinth, enclosed in a mesh fence, must want to weep when he looks down the Hayes and sees the complete utter annihilation of everything past.The heart has been ripped out of this once magnificent city and sadly it will be a long time before our return.

Brian Maidment

Sturminster Marshall, Wimborne, Dorset

A noteworthy event indeed

WHAT a splendid event! The CIAV Gala held on the evening of June 13 at Cardiff University Concert Hall, Corbett Road, surpassed all expectations.

In only two years, Cardiff International Academy of The Voice must surely already rival BBC Cardiff Singer of the World, not only in fostering the rising generation of great opera singers, but also in ensuring that our capital maintains its reputation as a centre of excellence for music worldwide.

Associated benefits for tourism and trade must be very considerable.

As an academic who has spent almost all my working life in the city, I believe that the establishment of The Academy is the most exciting development to have occurred over the past four decades within the universities at Cardiff.

We must be grateful to Dennis O’Neill for conceiving, initiating and continuing to drive this project, whereby a small class of mature students (at present 15) receive further training for one year.

Thereby, young but already highly talented and accomplished singers, are exposed intensively to the very best of instruction by a succession of visiting stars from the highest ranks of international opera.

Dennis’ huge enthusiasm, extensive experience and wide-ranging contacts ensure a continuing stream of guest instructors of the very highest calibre.

Kiri Te Kanawa, the President of the Academy, has made a major input to the activities of the enterprise at all levels and is a wonderful international ambassador.

The importance of ensuring further steadily increasing outside sponsorship and financial support for this superb musical initiative cannot be overestimated.

David Lloyd

Professor of Microbiology, Cardiff UniversityThe GreenRadyr

A top Take That night all round

I JUST wanted to send my review in about the Take That concert which took place last Tuesday ,(June 16).

It was a brilliant and wonderful night. Take That were on top form and, as always, they looked great and sounded wonderful too.

The best part was the elephant from under the stage, it was breath-taking.

This is my fifth time of seeing them and they always seem to top each show. Thanks Gary, Mark, Howard and Jason for an amazing night.